HR Compliance

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With Halloween officially behind us, it’s time to pitch the pumpkins, finish up that leftover candy, and pack up the spiderweb decor for another year.

But beyond leftover treats and lingering decor are there any ghosts and goblins lurking that might keep things a little too spooky during the upcoming holiday season? By proactively addressing some key issues in the workplace employers are in a much better position to keep spooky season where it belongs and focus instead on the bright times of the upcoming holiday season. Continue Reading Keeping Spooky Season Where it Belongs: Essential Tips for a Smooth Holiday Season

Using ChatGPT to Streamline Employee Terminations and Support Your HR Team

Handling an employee’s termination is always hard and involves a lot of moving parts. As a business owner, you’re likely juggling multiple responsibilities already, so managing terminations efficiently while staying compliant is crucial.

ChatGPT, as a generative AI tool, can help your HR team with many routine tasks while also assisting external legal counsel where needed. Here’s a breakdown of where ChatGPT can step in during each stage of the termination process.Continue Reading How ChatGPT Can Streamline Employee Terminations for Busy Business Owners

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 15-25% of pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Yet, many employers do not have a plan in place for supporting employees who have experienced miscarriages, stillbirths or pregnancy loss.

Miscarriage can be a devastating experience both physically and emotionally, and providing support and resources to employees during such a time is crucial for creating a positive work environment and inclusive workplace culture. For Canadian employers, it’s important to understand the legislative framework around miscarriage leave and adopt compassionate, supportive policies that comply with provincial and federal regulations.Continue Reading Understanding Miscarriage Leave Entitlements Across Canada

As discussed in previous blog posts in our farming series, the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) outlines farming exemptions, This allows certain employers flexibility under the ESA, particularly when it comes to hours of work, overtime, and rest periods.

The crux is that not every worker at every farm automatically falls under the ESA’s exemptions – there are important scenarios where this exemption may not apply. Farm owners and operators must understand the limits of these rules – failure to do so can lead to costly legal consequences.Continue Reading Look Out! When the Farming Exemption Does Not Apply

Running a business in Ontario? You’ve got enough on your plate. Let’s make sure you’re up to speed on mandatory breaks under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”). 

Rest and Meal Breaks 

The ESA is clear: If your employees work more than five consecutive hours, they are entitled to a 30-minute break. You can’t skip it unless you want to risk non-compliance. The break is unpaid unless you require the employee to do any form of work during that time. For example, if an employee remains “on call” or at their desk during their break, they must be compensated for it.Continue Reading Mandatory Breaks in Ontario: What You Need to Know

Are you an Ontario farmer employer navigating the complexity of the special farm worker rules?  This is the first of a few posts that will walk through the main employment law issues to consider for your agricultural employees.

In Ontario, the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) sets out the minimum standards for most employees, but there are specific exemptions for farm workers. These exemptions recognize the unique demands of agricultural work, which often require flexibility due to seasonal and weather-related factors. Continue Reading Understanding your Farm Worker ESA Exemptions in Ontario

For most employers we consult with, preparing and distributing employee handbooks seems like just one obvious step in setting up or maintaining a healthy workplace.

While employee handbooks can be a great tool to help organize the do’s and don’ts of the workplace along with important (and sometimes legally required) employer policies, you may not be aware of some of the potential problems lurking in your handbook.Continue Reading The Perks and Pitfalls of Employee Handbooks 

The dust has settled post-pandemic and employees are out of sorts. Turnover is high across all industries as people regroup and sort through what they want out of their careers.

We regularly hear about employees resisting commuting, moving on quicker than ever when the job gets difficult, and when regular feedback gets uncomfortable.Continue Reading Exiting Employees on a Disability Leave

Wage Deductions: Ontario Law Explained

Nobody wants to receive a paycheque that’s smaller than they were expecting, but sometimes, wage deductions are necessary. So, when can an employer make deductions from an employee’s wages? In Ontario, the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) provides guidelines regarding what deductions are permissible, in order to protect employees and their earnings. 

Employers are generally…


Woohoo!  Mandatory policies, postings, training, legally enforceable contracts… Actually, no client has ever told us they LOVE thinking through legal compliance for their workplace. Rather, it’s the thing you have to do on top of the other revenue-generating tasks to keep the lights on. 

For owner-operator employers, there is often no one to delegate this…